Sydney University Cricket Club fast bowler Lawrence Neil-Smith has the 2018 Under 19 Cricket World Cup in his sights following his selection in a preliminary 28-man Australian squad.
Neil-Smith was the second highest wicket-taker at the recent Australian Under 19 Championships, with 15 scalps at 14.9, including 5-17 against Tasmania in the quarter-final.
He is a product of SUCC’s junior program and Newington College and was vice-captain of the Sydney University Green Shield team.
He is also a talented Aussie Rules player and has been part of the Sydney Swans junior academy for five years.
SUCC had three players involved in the 2017 Australian Championships, with Neil-Smith and batsman Ryan McElduff in the winning NSW Metro squad and 15-year old fast bowler Dominic O’Shannessy representing the Cricket Australia XI.
While Neil-Smith dominated with the ball, McElduff had limited opportunities with the bat, but contributed an unbeaten 29 in the match against Queensland.
O’Shannessy, a member of SUCC’s 2017-18 Green Shield team, earnt the right to play in the CA XI by being the leading wicket-taker in the Under 17 National Champs in October.
Neil-Smith is one of four NSW players named in the Under 19 Australian squad to play Pakistan and two teams to feature in a BBL Pathways match.
The four NSW players included in the Under 19 squad to face Pakistan in the three Youth One Day Internationals starting next week are Iain Carlisle, Oliver Davies, Ryan Hackney and Neil-Smith.
The three matches will be played at the Albert Ground in Melbourne on 27, 29 and 31 December.
The 2018 Under 19 World Cup will be played in New Zealand in January and February.